Savvy mum reveals how she saved thousands of pounds by haggling over everything

A SAVVY mum-of-one has revealed how she’s saved thousands of pounds by haggling for everything from groceries to rent.
For most of us, haggling is awkward and embarrassing but Lisa Winstanley, 32, reckons she’s saved £5,000 over the past decade by simply asking for money off at the till.
Lisa Winstanley Mum-of-one Lisa never pays full price for anything if she can help it
Every penny counts for the mum-of-one, from North Yorkshire, who suffers from fibromyalgia which prevents her from working.
She then puts the cash she saves towards trips out with her four-year-old son.
The bargain hunter’s top savings include £500 off and four new tyres when they bought their car and £50 a month off rent, which over the two year tenancy saved the family £1,200 in total.
Lisa, who’s a member of money saving community LatestDeals.co.uk, draws the line at charity shops but say that markets, high street shops and online retailers are “fair game”.
Lisa’s top tips on how to haggleHAGGLING can be awkward, embarrassing, rude and impolite but it’s worth asking for money off if it ends up cutting costs.&nbsp;
Lisa Winstanley shares her top tips on how to haggle – and not get embarrassed while you do it:

Always be polite
Be willing to walk away
If the person on the till won’t give you a discount, ask to speak to the supervisor or manager
Don’t be afraid to be real and tell them you just need to keep costs down
Be kinder to local shops because they don’t bulk buy like supermarkets so pay more for their stock
Ask for money off from new businesses in exchange for a positive Facebook review, share their page or recommend them to a friend
And if you don’t ask, you don’t get so always give it a go.

So far, she’s found that B&M is the best at slashing costs when you point out that the packaging is dirty or bent but big supermarket chains hardly ever budge on prices.
Lisa explained: “I’ll ask for discounts everywhere. If a tin of beans had a dent in it I’ll ask for a discount.
“If a package is a bit open or damaged I’d ask for a discount. If an item of clothing has a bit of dirt or fluff on it I’ll ask for money off.
“I’ll even ask if it’s the last on the shelf or I’ll go for ex-display models which are normally cheaper.
Lisa Winstanley Lisa can’t work because of her disability and says every penny counts
She managed to knock £500 off the price of her car – and get four new tyres thrown in too
“I will also go on the retailer’s web chat before buying online and ask for a discount code or free delivery before ordering anything.”
Last year, the savvy saver managed to bag free delivery on a pair of £35 GAP dungarees, which were in the sale for £7, after she complained via web chat that the charges were too expensive.
And while most of us would be too embarrassed to ask for a discount, Lisa says overcoming your anxieties is totally worth it.
She added: “I learnt to haggle when I was a kid. My grandad is a collector and visits markets and fairs and shops four times a week and he would sometimes take me as a kid.
“I was 10 when I got my first discount by asking for it – I think it was a dog collar at a market.
Lisa Winstanley She searches for items with damaged packaging to ask for money off at the till
“Everyone should haggle but it takes nerves of steel and you’ve got to be willing to walk away if they say no.
“Sometimes it can be embarrassing when they say no but it’s always worth it when they say yes, even if it’s 10p off you’re still not paying full price.
“Haggling has changed the way I shop. With little money and the cost of living rising everyday I, like millions others mothers, have to make sure we can get our children what they want and what they need with limited budgets.
“My family think I’m crazy, but then again they’ll ask me to haggle for them or ask me how to get what they want cheaper.”
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Fancy becoming a haggler? We sent our bargain hunter to the high street to find out which stores are the best at giving you money off your clothes.
Shoppers can actually save up to 20 per cent by haggling for discount on retailer’s web chat services too.
Tenants can also negotiate with landlords to knock money off their rent – here’s how.
How to become a high street haggler and not get embarrassed

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